HB0642 EngrossedLRB099 04448 SXM 24476 b

1    AN ACT concerning finance.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Women's Business Ownership Act of 2015.
 
6    Section 5. Women's Business Ownership Council. The Women's
7Business Ownership Council is created within the Department of
8Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The Council shall consist of
99 members, with 5 persons appointed by the Governor, one of
10whom shall be the Director of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
11or his or her designee, one person appointed by the President
12of the Senate, one person appointed by the Minority Leader of
13the Senate, one person appointed by the Speaker of the House of
14Representatives, and one person appointed by the Minority
15Leader of the House of Representatives.
16    Appointed members shall be uniquely qualified by
17education, professional knowledge, or experience to serve on
18the Council and shall reflect the ethnic, cultural, and
19geographic diversity of the State. Of the 9 members, at least 5
20shall be women business owners. As used in this Act, "woman
21business owner" means a woman who is either:
22        (1) the principal of a company or business concern, at
23    least 51% of which is owned, operated, and controlled by

 

 

HB0642 Engrossed- 2 -LRB099 04448 SXM 24476 b

1    women; or
2        (2) a senior officer or director of a company or
3    business concern who also has either:
4            (A) material responsibility for the daily
5        operations and management of the overall company or
6        business concern; or
7            (B) material responsibility for the policy making
8        of the company or business concern.
9    Of the initial appointments, members shall be randomly
10assigned to staggered terms; 3 members shall be appointed for a
11term of 3 years, 3 members shall be appointed for a term of 2
12years, and 3 members shall be appointed for a term of one year.
13Upon the expiration of each member's term, a successor shall be
14appointed for a term of 3 years. In the case of a vacancy in the
15office of any member, a successor shall be appointed for the
16remainder of the unexpired term by the person designated as
17responsible for making the appointment. No member shall serve
18more than 3 consecutive terms. Members shall serve without
19compensation but shall be reimbursed for expenses incurred in
20connection with the performance of their duties as members.
21    One of the members shall be designated as Chairperson by
22the Governor. In the event the Governor does not appoint the
23Chairperson within 60 days after the effective date of this
24Act, the Council shall convene and elect a Chairperson by a
25simple majority vote. Upon a vacancy in the position of
26Chairperson, the Governor shall have 30 days from the date of

 

 

HB0642 Engrossed- 3 -LRB099 04448 SXM 24476 b

1the resignation to appoint a new Chairperson. In the event the
2Governor does not appoint a new Chairperson within 30 days, the
3Council shall convene and elect a new Chairperson by a simple
4majority vote.
5    The first meeting of the Council shall be held within 90
6days after the effective date of this Act. The Council shall
7meet quarterly and may hold other meetings on the call of the
8Chairperson. Five members shall constitute a quorum. The
9Council may adopt rules it deems necessary to govern its own
10procedures. The Department of Commerce and Economic
11Opportunity shall cooperate with the Council to fulfill the
12purposes of this Act and shall provide the Council with
13necessary staff and administrative support. The Council may
14apply for grants from the public and private sector and is
15authorized to accept grants, gifts, and donations, which shall
16be deposited into the Women's Business Ownership Fund.
 
17    Section 10. Duties and responsibilities of the Council.
18    (a) The Council shall conduct hearings, as necessary, and
19issue an annual report to the Governor and the General Assembly
20regarding the status of women business owners within the State.
21In that regard, the Council shall review the following:
22        (1) The status of women-owned businesses statewide,
23    including progress made and barriers that remain, in order
24    to assist these businesses to enter the mainstream of the
25    Illinois economy.

 

 

HB0642 Engrossed- 4 -LRB099 04448 SXM 24476 b

1        (2) The role of State and local government in assisting
2    and promoting aid to, and the promotion of, women-owned
3    businesses.
4        (3) Data collected by private and public sector
5    entities relating to women-owned businesses.
6        (4) Any other government initiatives that may exist
7    relating to women-owned businesses, including but not
8    limited to those relating to State and local procurement.
9    (b) The Council shall recommend to the Governor and the
10General Assembly, on an annual basis, all of the following:
11        (1) New private sector initiatives that would provide
12    management and technical assistance to women-owned
13    businesses.
14        (2) Ways to promote greater access to public and
15    private sector financing and procurement opportunities for
16    these businesses.
17        (3) Detailed multi-year plans of action, with specific
18    goals and timetables, for both public and private sector
19    actions needed to overcome discriminatory barriers to full
20    participation in the economic mainstream.
21    (c) The Council may hold hearings, take testimony, and
22request information from State agencies.
 
23    Section 15. The Women's Business Ownership Fund. The
24Women's Business Ownership Fund is created as a special fund in
25the State treasury. The Fund shall consist of all public and

 

 

HB0642 Engrossed- 5 -LRB099 04448 SXM 24476 b

1private moneys donated to further the work of the Council under
2this Act. All moneys deposited into the Fund shall be subject
3to appropriation by the General Assembly.
 
4    Section 90. The State Finance Act is amended by adding
5Section 5.866 as follows:
 
6    (30 ILCS 105/5.866 new)
7    Sec. 5.866. The Women's Business Ownership Fund.
 
8    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
9becoming law.